The Autistic Adult Support and Wellbeing Programme is proudly sponsored by the Eithne & Paddy Fitzgerald Memorial Fund.
When this programme first began in October 2021, our aims were small. We hoped to reduce social isolation for some autistic adults that engaged with the support programme and, at the very least, have a little fun. However, the autistic community in Ireland overwhelmed us with their support and engagement. Our programme now has two aims; to provide peer support spaces that are both safe and empowering for autistic adults and to provide well-being groups based on the interests and support needs of our community.
To contact us, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Please note:
The Adult Support and Wellbeing Programme’s primary function is to provide spaces for autistic adults in Ireland to come together, communicate and have fun. This programme is not therapeutic, nor can we provide support in place of medical attention.
Though these groups are intended to be enjoyable spaces, at times, community members may discuss or raise topics that some may find upsetting. The support these peer groups offer is only support. If you have any significant issues or are seeking medical advice, please speak to your GP. If you ever feel you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, please refer to the following for additional advice and support.
- Samaritans – 116123
- Bodywhys: 01 – 2107906
- Txt support – https://text50808.ie/ – 50808
- Aware: 1800 80 48 48 -Depression
What people say about the programme
Autistic Adult Support FAQs
Autistic adults over the age of 18 that are currently based in Ireland.
Please note, you do not have to have an official diagnosis to take part in the programme. You might self-identify as autistic or be waiting on an assessment.
These are designed to be a safe space for members of the adult autistic community to communicate with one another in a safe, accepting environment. Though these groups are intended to be supportive spaces, at times topics may be discussed or raised by community members that some may find upsetting. The support these peer groups offer is only support. If you have any significant issues or are seeking medical advice, please speak to your GP. If you ever feel you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, please refer to the following for additional advice and support.
Samaritans – 116123
Bodywhys: 01 – 2107906
Txt support – https://text50808.ie/ – 50808
Aware: 1800 80 48 48 – Depression
As I am – information line re other services 0818 234 234/ [email protected]
These are activity-based wellbeing group, designed to be the interaction and enjoyment of the adult autistic community, within safe, accepting environments. Though these groups are intended to be enjoyable spaces, at times topics may be discussed or raised by community members that some may find upsetting. The support these peer groups offer is only support. If you have any significant issues or are seeking medical advice, please speak to your GP. If you ever feel you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, please refer to the following for additional advice and support.
Samaritans – 116123
Bodywhys: 01 – 2107906
Txt support – https://text50808.ie/ – 50808
Aware: 1800 80 48 48 – Depression
As I am – information line re other services 0818 234 234/ [email protected]
To register or express your interest for any group, simply send us an email at adultgr[email protected], and we will be in touch with further information.
To register for any groups, email us at adultgroups@asiam.ie, and we will contact you with any further information.
Please note: To ensure that we comply with GDPR and to maintain the personal autonomy of every autistic adult, we require all participants who wish to take part to email us themselves, where possible. We understand that there may be instances when a support worker or family member is emailing on behalf of the participant.
Attendance Note:
By registering for any group, you are committing to attending each of the group’s sessions. Attendance must be regular and consistent, as each group is running subject to funding, which is impacted by attendance figures. It is this funding which allows us to offer these groups for free.
We also have long waiting lists for several groups and are keen to give each autistic adult who reaches out to us the opportunity to participate. Of course, we do understand that there are occasions when a participant may miss a group. However, if you can no longer attend any of the sessions, we ask that you please let us know at [email protected] to allow us the opportunity to give the space to someone else. We thank you for your understanding.
Upcoming groups
Current Support & Wellbeing Groups
Please note: Some groups may be at capacity. However, we consistently review our waiting list and offer spaces to community members.
The groups are intended to appeal to autistic adults with various interests and support needs.
Please note: If you have additional support or accessibility needs, let us know, and we will have an additional volunteer present at the group and will take all reasonable measures to ensure that you can fully participate in the group.
To register for any of the below, please email [email protected].
Frequency: 6 Sessions
Thursday October 12th
Thursday October 26th
Thursday November 9th
Thursday November 23rd
Thursday November 30th
Thursday December 7th
Facilitator: Catriona Hanmore
Location: The Spool Factory, Boyle, Roscommon
Time: Thursdays 6:15pm – 7:15pm
Duration: 6 Sessions
Status: Accepting Names
Topics to be covered:
Modes of communication that work best for you and others
- Communication and self-discovery and self-expression
- Modes of communication that work best for you and others
- Language for self-awareness of emotional states
- Communicating at times of transition in life
- Assertive communication versus aggressive/passive communication styles
- Narrating your identity.
Frequency: 5 Sessions
October 13th, 20th & 27th
November 3rd & 10th
Facilitator: Zoe McCormack
Location: The Liberties – T Classroom, Rainsford Street, Dublin 8
Time: Fridays 6:30pm – 8pm
Duration: 5 Sessions
Status: Full (Accepting waiting list names)
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Ciara Nolan
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Monday at 7pm – 8pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Pauline Harley
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday at 10:30am – 11:30am
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL
Frequency: Every second Monday
Facilitator: Kayren Hayes
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: 7pm
Date: Beginning October 16th 2023
Duration: Continuous
Status: Accepting Names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Natalia Caulfield
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Tuesday at 1pm – 2pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Pauline Harley
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday at 7pm – 8pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Jennifer Van Uffelen
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Tuesday at 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL
Frequency: Every second Wednesday
Facilitator: Grainne Mulligan
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: 8pm
Date: Beginning Wednesday October 18th
Duration: 6 Sessions
Status: Accepting Names
Please note: This group is inclusive of all members of our community who might be experiencing any stage of menopause, including trans and non-binary community members.
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Jennifer Van Uffelen
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday 10am – 11am
Duration: 4 Sessions over 8 weeks
Status: Accepting names for the next block, taking place on 2nd November, 16th November, 30 November, 14th December
Example of Topics Covered:
- Job Search Strategy
- Communication in the Workplace
- Neurodiversity in the Workplace
- Reasonable accommodations
- Disclosure
- CV & Cover Letters
- Interview Preparation
Frequency: Every second Monday
Facilitator: Emma Challacombe
Dates: Beginning Monday November 6th
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: 7pm
Duration: 6 Sessions
Status: Accepting names
This group is designed for those who typically support autistic adults: spouses, siblings, friends etc.
Frequency: Every second Wednesday
Facilitator: Rachel Merriman
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: 7pm
Date: Beginning November 9th
Duration: 6 Sessions
Status: Accepting names
Frequency: Every second Monday for six weeks
Facilitator: Anne Suriar
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: 10AM
Date: Monday October 16th 2023
Duration: 6 Week Blocks
Status: Accepting names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Gerard O’Dea
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Tuesday at 7pm – 8pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: Accepting names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Mary Farrell
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Tuesday 10:30AM – 12pm
Duration: 6 Weeks (Every second week)
12th September, 26th September, 10th October, 24th October, 7th November, 21st November
Status: Full (accepting names for future blocks)
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Gerard O’Dea
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday at 7pm – 8pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: Accepting names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Gerard O’Dea
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday at 8pm- 9pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL (accepting waitlist names)
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Gerard O’Dea
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Tuesdays at 7pm – 8pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: Accepting Names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Dermot McCarthy
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Thursday at 6pm – 7:15pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL (accepting waitlist names)
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Anna Teague
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Monday at 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Duration: 4 Sessions over 12 weeks
Status: Accepting names: 25th September, 9th October, 6th November, 20th November
Please make sure to let us know if you have any mobility concerns prior to taking part in this group. We will do our utmost to assist you.
Frequency: TBC
Facilitator: Eva McPadden
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: TBC
Duration: TBC
Status: Accepting names
Please make sure to let us know if you have any mobility concerns prior to taking part in this group. We will do our utmost to assist you.
Frequency: TBC
Facilitator: Eva McPadden
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: TBC
Duration: TBC
Status: Accepting names
Please make sure to let us know if you have any mobility concerns prior to taking part in this group. We will do our utmost to assist you.
Frequency: Once a month beginning in October, for six months
Facilitator: Ciara Nolan
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: Tuesday, November 21st 2023
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Status: Accepting Names
Frequency: Every second Monday for 6 Weeks
Facilitator: Dermot McCarthy
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: October 9th, October 23rd, November 13th and November 20th, December 4th, December 18th
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Status: Accepting Names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Jennifer Kissane
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: Wednesday 6pm – 7pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL (accepting waitlist names)
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Lindsey Gorden
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: Beginning October 11th (Wednesday)
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: Available
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Chloe Callaghan
Location: Online (via Discord)
Time: Tuesday 6pm – 7:30pm
Duration: Continuous
Status: FULL (accepting waitlist names)
Frequency: Biweekly
Facilitator: Ciara Nolan
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: Every Second Monday at 6pm
Time: Monday at 6pm to 7:30pm
Status: Accepting names
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Niamh Garvey
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: September 20th, 2023 (6-Week Block)
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Status: Accepting names
Please note that the facilitator’s expertise is regarding physical chronic illnesses. Please contact us should you wish to be added to a list for any future groups regarding other cohorts of chronic illnesses.
Please note: This group is also open and welcoming to newly self-identified autistic adults. A formal diagnosis is not required.
Frequency: Every second week, 6 sessions
Facilitator: Sharon Powell
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Date: 26th September, 10th October, 24th October, 7th November, 21st November, 5th December
Time: 12pm – 1pm
Status: Full (waiting list accepting names)
This group is designed for autistic adults who are newly diagnosed or identified and who would like to learn more about autism and connect with other adults facing a similar experience.
Example of topics covered:
- What is autism? Medical vs. Social Model
- Sensory Processing
- Anxiety & Trauma
- Autistic Joy
- Interests
- Double Empathy
This group is designed for autistic adults who are leaving education or experiencing a change in their lives such as accessing the workplace.
Frequency: Every second week
Facilitator: Debra Crawley
Location: Online (via Zoom)
Time: TBC
Dates: Current block is complete, new dates are not yet confirmed.
Status: Accepting names for new block
Please contact us regarding a waiting list for the next block.
Advocating for Yourself in University Webinar
Webinar for all autistic students in College
Topic: Advocating for Yourself at College
Are you an autistic college student? Please join us for this one-hour webinar where we will focus on how autistic students can advocate for our rights and needs within higher education.
This webinar will be led by Jennifer O’Connor, AsIAm’s Adult Support and Wellbeing Officer.
When and Where: Tuesday 17th of October 6pm – 7pm
We want you to be comfortable for this webinar, so you do not need to have your camera on if you do not wish. You do not need an autism diagnosis to attend this webinar.
What will be covered:
– Advocating of Your Self at college
– Speaking to your lecturers about your diagnosis or identity
– Identifying your strengths in college
– Self-care and recognising one’s limits
How to register:
To register for the webinar, please follow the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Koy6a013SfmTsJGCXWzPNQ
Please note: If you have additional support or accessibility needs, please email [email protected]
Review an Excerpt of Our Code of Conduct Here
For an expanded and complete copy of our Code of Conduct, our anti-bullying, complaints and safeguarding of vulnerable adults policies, please contact us at [email protected]. We are happy to help.
We ask that you please note our Code of Conduct is an evolving document that will be refined continuously with the safety and wellbeing of our community in mind.
By attending one of our groups, you agree to abide by the guidelines within the Code of Conduct.
General Charter:
The Adult Support and Wellbeing Programme is designed to reduce social isolation in autistic adults while empowering the community to build friendships, seek support and express their experiences. To do this, we foster safe environments, and it is therefore of the utmost importance that all of our community members, staff and volunteers are treated with respect, kindness and empathy.
We ask all programme participants to please always treat all facilitators, volunteers, and other participants with respect, avoiding any physical, emotional, or verbal abuse or rudeness.
We also ask all participants to avoid discussing sensitive or inappropriate group topics. Though each community member’s definition of what can be defined as ‘sensitive’ or ‘inappropriate’ may vary, each community member has a duty to remain respectful of another’s boundaries when they are expressed, even if they differ from our own.
Inappropriate or sensitive topics may include but are not limited to:
– Addiction or substance abuse.
– Self-harm, eating disorders etc.
– Suicide, suicidal ideation etc.
– Discriminatory language, hate speech or slurs.
– Religion.
– Politics.
– Finances.
– Appearance or weight-based remarks.
– Assault, abuse, or criminal behaviour.
– Sex, sexual jokes, or remarks.
Our Adult Support and Wellbeing Officer is here to help!
Please do feel free to contact me at any time. I will be happy to reply, once your query is regarding autistic adults – otherwise, I will refer you to the appropriate team or relevant support. Please note that as the sole Officer for this programme, I may be delayed in replying to you due to the volume of queries.
Niamh Grennan, Adult Support and Wellbeing Officer
Email: [email protected]
